Childhood cancers

Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is the most common type of childhood bone cancer. The other type is called Ewing's sarcoma.

Osteo means “bone” and sarcoma means “cancer.” The disease is found just about equally in males and females and is most common in teenagers. Osteosarcoma most commonly occurs at the ends of the long bones of the body. About 80 percent of cases develop where the thigh bone (femur) and the shin bone (tibia) meet at the knee. Another common spot is where the upper arm bone meets the shoulder.

Good progress has been made in treating osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma. Since 1950, there has been a 50 percent reduction in deaths in children due to bone sarcomas.

Risk factors
The cause of osteosarcoma is not known in the majority of patients. However, scientists studying the patterns of occurrence have come up with some risk factors for this rare disease, including:

	the growth spurt that occurs during puberty. Children with osteosarcoma are usually tall for their age.
	certain rare inherited cancer syndromes
	children with retinoblastoma
	previous treatment for cancer with radiation therapy

Symptoms
Pain and swelling are the most common symptoms of osteosarcoma but can be easily overlooked, especially by active teenagers.

Questions to ask your child's doctor

Diagnosis
There are no screening tests recommended for the early detection of osteosarcoma. Imaging tests such as bone X-rays, MRI, CT scans and nuclear scans are used in the detection of tumors. Needle and open biopsies can then be used to determine if cancer is present and the type of cancer. Sometimes genetic studies can provide more information. Diagnosing cancer

Treatment
Before cancer is treated, it has to be staged. Staging involves finding out where the cancer is located, the extent of the cancer and whether it has spread. Localized osteosarcoma involves only the bone and the tissues next to the bone and is the easiest to treat.

After an osteosarcoma is found and staged, the cancer care team will suggest a treatment plan. This is an important decision and it is good to take time and think about all of the choices. Because osteosarcoma is rare, it should be treated in a major cancer program such as the one at Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital. Our cancer team includes the child's pediatrician as well as specialists (such as pediatric oncologists and orthopedic surgeons) at the Yale Cancer Center.

Treatment for osteosarcoma will include chemotherapy, surgery and occasionally radiation therapy. Chemotherapy causes side effects. Be sure to discuss these side effects thoroughly with the pediatric oncologist before your child begins therapy.

Clinical trials, protocols and research

Learn more
• YNHH Health Library: Osteosarcoma

Last revised: Jan. 8, 2008 (dh)

Home page URL: http://www.ynhh.org

All information is intended for your general knowledge and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen.